Established in 1884 Arthur, Nebraska
Located in the Sandhills of Nebraska, the Haythorn Land & Cattle Co. claims a unique and colorful history. Founder Harry Haythornthwaite was a lovelorn 16-year-old from England who, after being discovered as a stowaway, was put to work tending white-faced bulls being shipped to Galveston, Texas. For eight years, Harry, worked as a cowhand making trail drives to Kansas and Nebraska and was drawn to the vastness of the Great Plains, deciding to stay. He opened a livery barn, shortened his name to Haythorn and married Emma Gilpin.
In 1884, Harry filed a land grant to begin the Haythorn Ranches, spreading over two counties, and purchased 500 head of horses, trailed back to Nebraska from Baker, Oregon. In the 1940s, Harry’s son, Walt, purchased “Sport” the first registered quarter horse in Nebraska, who went on to produce exceptional mares. Haythorn crossed these mares with the original “Eddie” with great success and since, the ranch received the inaugural Best of the Remuda by AQHA in 1992 and has added bloodlines that include PlayGun, Metallic Cat and Haidas Little Pep.
Present day manager, Craig Haythorn, a 4th generation of Haythorns, manages this historic ranch with his wife Jody, as well as 5th generation sons, Sage, his wife Kelley, and Cord and his wife, Katie, preserving cowboy traditions in an ever-changing and increasingly challenging industry. A 6th generation, Steel Daniel Haythorn, was born on Christmas Day 2015.
Haythorn Land & Cattle Co. have won a total of 7 Ranch Rodeo's (1988, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2005, 2008 and 2014) and have been a Western Heritage Classic Contestant since 1988.
Team Captain: Craig Haythorn
Team Members: Ridge Evans, Cord Haythorn, Sage Haythorn, Cody Wallin and Wade Speck.